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Josephine Alicia SaenzThe first wife of American actor John Wayne
Date of Birth: 13.05.1908
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Josephine Alicia "Josie" Saenz: The First Wife of John Wayne
- Early Life and Meeting John Wayne
- Marriage and Family
- - Michael Wayne (November 23, 1934 - April 2, 2003), a film producer
- - Patrick Wayne (July 15, 1939), an actor
- Death and Legacy
Josephine Alicia "Josie" Saenz: The First Wife of John Wayne
Josephine Alicia Saenz, better known as "Josie," was born on May 13, 1908, in Los Angeles, California. Her father, Jose Saenz, was the Consul General of Panama in the United States, and her mother was from Panama.
Early Life and Meeting John Wayne
At a beach party in Balboa, California, at around age 15 or 16, Josephine met John Wayne, then known as Marion Robert Morrison. They fell in love, but their relationship faced opposition from her family due to Wayne's Presbyterian faith.
Marriage and Family
After a seven-year courtship, Wayne's success in the film industry convinced the Saenz family of his suitability as a husband for their daughter. They married on June 24, 1933, in Loretta Young's backyard. The couple had four children:
- Michael Wayne (November 23, 1934 - April 2, 2003), a film producer
- Maria Antonia "Toni" Wayne LaCava (February 25, 1936 - December 6, 2000)
- Patrick Wayne (July 15, 1939), an actor
- Melinda Wayne Muñoz (December 3, 1940)Divorce and Later Life
The marriage began to unravel due to Wayne's workaholic nature and his circle of show business associates. Additionally, the couple had differing views on child-rearing. They separated in 1943 and divorced in 1945. Saenz, devout in her faith, never remarried. Wayne married twice more, first to Esperanza Baur and then to Pilar Wayne.
Death and Legacy
Josephine Saenz passed away on June 24, 2003, at the age of 95, from cancer. She had outlived her two children, Michael and Toni. Her legacy as the first wife of John Wayne and as a strong, independent woman remains.
